The terms of public service are the prerogative of the public. Fundamental among those terms; public servants are accountable to the public, and to meaningful standards of conduct and competence, at least for the eight measly hours a day that we have to "trust" them with the control over our power and our resources.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Colonel Allen Weh has released a TV spot highlighting hismilitary service; in this case, in Vietnam, nearly forty years ago.

There will be those who will (deliberately) misunderstand thepoint of this post; the absence of any correlation between beinga military hero and an effective Governor. So I will begin byunderscoring my respect for veterans; in particular combatveterans, and most particular, decorated combat veterans.Without their abundant sacrifices, we would not enjoy themany freedoms and advantages that many take for granted.

Never the less, does that make him a better Governor?

How often do we need our Governor to beat someone else'sGovernor to death with his bare hands? Realistically,not all that often.

Does the same skill set that allows a man to lead a squad,a platoon, a company, or a battalion in to battle, translateinto leading a state legislature to consensus?

I would argue that it does not; the necessary skill sets areentirely different.

So why point to the one, and ignore the other? Because Wehdoes have the one skill set, and can point to no evidence of theother. In fact, there is considerable evidence he lacks thelatter skill set entirely; witness his intention to "carry abaseball bat" into negotiations in the Roundhouse.

Does anyone really suppose that strategy will succeed?

And then there is the matter of personal courage.

Based on the medals that have been awarded to Col Wehbased on battlefield performance, he is a man of courage.

Why then will he not step up to the issue of the allegationsof his anger management issues resulting in a "physical attack"on staff members of his own Party?

What is he going to say when Lt Gov Diane Denish asks himwhy the incident was hidden from voters, and points to to hislack of candor, forthrightness, and honesty?

If he cannot summon the courage to own that incident, itis fair to ask whether he will be able to summon the courageto own other, more consequential failures in Santa Fe.

Will he be another Governor (albeit, one with a chest full of medals) hiding the truth from New Mexicans?

So far, he has had nothing to say about the secrecy in theRoundhouse, about webcasting, open meetings, public records,or any of the other transparency issues in state government.

He has yet to show us the courage it takes to hold one's selfhonestly accountable for their conduct and competence asa candidate or as a Governor, by telling the truth aboutthat conduct and competence; candidly, forthrightly, andhonestly.

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

so quick to critize; wonder how you would fair in combat, bet you would love to have Col. Weh by your side and have him directing the battle. it is all about God, country and commitment, not just words, but your life....that is what Col Weh is all about. bb